City Deals

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: My Rt Honourable friend the Minister for Cities and the Constitution (Greg Clark) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement:
	Following the successful completion of the first wave of City deals in July 2012, with the ‘Core Cities’ the Government committed to work with a further 20 Cities and their wider areas to negotiate a second wave of City Deals in October 2012.
	I can today inform the House that the Government and business and civic leaders in Plymouth and the area covered by Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council, Devon County Council, Somerset County Council and Torbay Council have reached agreement on a City Deal.
	The Plymouth and the South West Peninsula City Deal will build on the area’s strengths in the marine and advanced manufacturing sectors. The Ministry of Defence will work with business and civic leaders to make available an important site—South Yard—that will provide both new employment space for marine sector companies and provide access to deep water, thereby enabling marine research and development and commercialisation activities to be undertaken.
	A youth employment scheme will be launched that will work with all young people engaging in employment and skills activities. This scheme will aim to simplify access to employment and skills programmes for businesses.
	The City Deal will also deliver a business support programme to provide businesses with support and advice to assist their growth. Business and civic leaders in Plymouth and the South West anticipate that the Deal will enable the creation of more than 9.500 jobs by 2030 and will work with 1,500 young people to support a large number into sustained employment.

Employment: Psychological Wellbeing and Work

Lord Freud: Poor mental health is a major issue for government, society and for the many individuals either directly or indirectly affected by it. At any one time, around one in six people have a common mental health problem like anxiety or depression, and a further two in a hundred are affected by severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia. Additionally, we know many people suffer from both physical health and mental health problems at the same time.
	The sheer number of people with mental health problems in work, and out of work, across all working-age benefits, makes this a mainstream issue for the Government. It represents an enormous challenge to both health and employment services, not just in the UK but across industrialised nations.
	While none have yet established the best way to increase the effective support for people with mental health problems to work, the mental health benefits associated with good work are well known. We are working towards a solution and, if we get it right, the benefits for society will be substantial.
	It is clear that health and work services need to work together, for example with flagship programmes like Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) working more closely with local employment services. We are also developing the Health and Work Service in order to support employees to return to work from sickness absence.
	This need for collaboration between health and work services is precisely why my colleague the Minister of State for Care and Support, Norman Lamb MP and I are vigorously pursuing solutions to this issue. Through the Cabinet Office’s Contestable Policy Fund, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health jointly commissioned RAND Europe to explore the most promising approaches on how to improve employment outcomes for people with common mental health problems, with a focus on better alignment of employment and health services.
	Today we are launching RAND Europe’s report, Psychological Wellbeing and Work: Improving Service Provision and Outcomes. The report sets out key findings and advocates:
	- enhanced employment support in primary care including IAPT services, building on the employment advice currently offered in these services, with fully-specified support models like Individual Placement and Support (IPS);- activities for benefit claimants with, or at risk of developing depression or anxiety to build belief in capability for work and increase emotional resilience to the setbacks people face when job seeking; and- different modes of specialist work and wellbeing assessments and support, including online, telephone and face-to-face.
	The project report and its proposals will contribute to a better evidence base for action. It will enable both departments to take forward our exploration into better mental health and employment provision—providing better approaches to help people with mental health problems to work.
	The report will be published later today on the Gov.uk website, and I will place a copy in the House library.

EU: Foreign Affairs Council

Baroness Warsi: My Honourable Friend the Minister of State for Europe (David Lidington) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement:
	My Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will attend the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 January in Brussels. The Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) will be chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton
	of Upholland. The General Affairs Council (GAC) scheduled for 21 January 2014 has been cancelled. The next GAC will be on 11 February.
	Foreign Affairs Council
	Introduction – Iran
	Baroness Ashton is expected to brief the FAC on the agreement between the E3+3 and Iran to begin implementation of the Geneva 6-month deal on 20 January. Baroness Ashton is likely to look forward to talks on the comprehensive solution which will begin shortly. The Council is expected to adopt, without discussion, a Council Decision and Regulation to bring the 6 month suspension of EU sanctions into force, as part of the Geneva agreement.
	Southern Neighbourhood
	On Syria, we will set out our views on the need for active EU support of the Geneva 2 political process, due to begin on 22 January. This will include the need for the EU give its united practical and political support to the National Coalition, which the UK recognises as the sole legitimate representatives of the Syrian people. We will also set out our views on what more could be done to address the humanitarian crisis following the Kuwait pledging conference on 15 January. The UK will give particular emphasis to calling for the regime to comply with the 2 October UN Security Council Presidential Statement, which demanded that humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach all Syrians. The UK will be active in the UN Security Council in seeking further action in support of this effort.
	Ministers will discuss recent developments in Egypt, including concerns over freedom of expression and human rights in the lead up to the constitutional referendum. Ministers will hear an update from Baroness Ashton on the findings of the EU Electoral Experts Mission.
	We will reiterate the importance of the EU providing a full election monitoring mission for the parliamentary and presidential elections. We will also encourage Member States to consider how to maximise European External Action Service (EEAS) and Member State influence with Egypt during its political transition.
	Middle East Peace Process
	The UK will want the FAC discussion to focus on how the EU can best support current MEPP negotiations led by U.S. Secretary of State Kerry. The December 2013 FAC Conclusions sent a strong message of support for the ongoing negotiations by offering an unprecedented package of support for both parties in the event of a final status deal. The UK will note the importance of now coming up with bold and concrete proposals for incentives that meet the needs of both parties.
	Afghanistan
	Ministers will discuss the EU’s future engagement in Afghanistan and the upcoming Presidential elections. The UK will use this as an opportunity to underline the importance of the EU’s engagement in Afghanistan, both in the run up to the presidential elections and after transition. The FAC is likely to agree Conclusions which commission the development of the EU’s future civilian strategy on Afghanistan. We will outline what we believe should be the key pillars of such a strategy.
	Russia
	Ministers will discuss Russia over lunch. They are likely to focus on ongoing preparations for the EU-Russia Summit, taking place from 27-28 January, and on follow up on the Eastern Partnership after the Vilnius Summit in November 2013. The Foreign Secretary will urge the EU to take a clear and united approach to Russia post-Vilnius, and to press for clear results at the forthcoming summit, including the resolution of prolonged trade disputes on Siberian overflights and vehicle recycling fees.
	Central African Republic
	Ministers will discuss the current situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) following the UN Security Council Resolution which authorised the deployment of the African-led International Support Mission to CAR (MISCA), and the deployment of French forces to support MISCA in fulfilling its mandate of protecting civilians and contributing to the stabilization of the country. In particular, the discussion will consider options for EU support to address the country’s immediate security needs.
	South Sudan
	Ministers will discuss the situation in South Sudan and reaffirm EU support for the mediation efforts of regional leaders through the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development. The EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa is coordinating closely with envoys from the UK, US and Norway (the Troika). Diplomatic efforts are focused on pressing both sides for an immediate cessation of hostilities; securing the release of senior political figures detained by the government since the outbreak of violence; and urging South Sudan’s neighbours to avoid any action that will escalate the conflict. Ministers will also discuss the humanitarian response and measures to ensure full humanitarian access to all those in need.

Green Belt

Baroness Stowell of Beeston: My hon Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Brandon Lewis) made the following Written Ministerial Statement on 17 January 2014.
	In my written statement of 1 July 2013, Official Report, Column 41WS, I noted the Government’s intentions with regard to the importance of the protection of the Green Belt.
	The Government’s planning policy is clear that both temporary and permanent traveller sites are inappropriate development in the Green Belt and that planning decisions should protect Green Belt land from such inappropriate development. I also noted the Secretary of State’s policy position that unmet need, whether for traveller sites or for conventional housing, is unlikely to outweigh harm to the Green Belt and other harm to constitute the “very special circumstances” justifying inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
	The Secretary of State wishes to re-emphasise this policy point to both local planning authorities and planning inspectors as a material consideration in their planning decisions.
	That statement revised the appeals recovery criteria by stating that, for a period of six months, the Secretary of State would consider for recovery appeals involving traveller sites in the Green Belt, after which the position would be reviewed.
	The Secretary of State remains concerned about the extent to which planning appeal decisions are meeting the Government’s clear policy intentions, particularly as to whether sufficient weight is being given to the importance of Green Belt protection. Therefore, he intends to continue to consider for recovery appeals involving traveller sites in the Green Belt.
	Moreover, Ministers are considering the case for further improvements to both planning policy and practice guidance to strengthen Green Belt protection in this regard. We also want to consider the case for changes to the planning definition of ‘travellers’ to reflect whether it should only refer to those who actually travel and have a mobile or transitory lifestyle. We are open to representations on these matters and will be launching a consultation in due course.

Health: Mental Health

Earl Howe: My hon Friend the Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lamb) has made the following written ministerial statement.
	We are today publishing Closing the Gap: Priorities for Essential Change in Mental Health.
	At least one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their life; one in ten will do so before they are 18. An estimated one in six adults has a mental health problem at any one time; there are also many who experience poor mental wellbeing but do not have a diagnosable mental disorder.
	Mental ill-health can mean people are out of work. It can lead to family breakdown and homelessness. It can mean leaving school with poor qualifications, or none at all. It can directly impact on parenting, and in particular on the relationship between children and their parents in those critical early years. It also has a direct impact on physical health. Life expectancy for those with severe mental illness is on average 20 years less for men and 15 years less for women.
	All of this places an enormous strain on the health service, and on other public services: mental illness is now the cause of over 40% of sickness benefit claims. Businesses feel the impact: the average cost of poor mental health to business is just over £1,000 per employee per year, or almost £26 billion across the UK economy.
	The time is long overdue for us to take a bolder, broader approach to tackling mental ill-health and promoting wellbeing. In 2011, we published our mental health strategy, No health without mental health. This set out a long-term ambition for the transformation of mental health care—and more importantly, for a broad change in the way people with mental health problems are supported in society as a whole. This was reinforced by the mental health strategy implementation plan in 2012 which provided detailed recommendations for action to deliver the objectives.
	Two years on from the publication of our strategy, important progress has been made. Crucially, we have taken firm steps to narrow the gap between the way in which physical and mental illnesses are viewed and responded to. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 sets out, in law, that mental health should be on a par with physical health. And we have put mental health at the core of our Mandate to the NHS, setting out what the NHS is tasked to deliver – and the NHS Constitution. This means that improving mental health, and treating mental illness are key priorities for NHS England. These are also central to our Mandates to Health Education England and Public Health England.
	We can see that in many areas, real change is already happening to deliver the strategy objectives.
	Change is also visible beyond the health and care sector. Many areas of government policy and public service delivery, from education to employment, the justice sector to housing, are addressing mental health. There is strong cross-government support for, and actions to deliver, the objectives in the strategy as demonstrated by the Children and Young People’s Health Outcomes Forum, and the forthcoming Crisis Care Concordat.
	Crucially too, there is already a clear change in society. The Time to Change campaign, set up to tackle discrimination and remove the stigma associated with mental illness, has made real impacts. Research has shown that, since the launch of the campaign, people with mental health problems already experience less discrimination from friends (14% less than in 2008), family (9% less) and in social life (11% less).
	All of this amounts to important progress towards achieving the long-term objectives set in our strategy. But we recognise too that for many people with mental health problems, this progress has not yet translated into significant change in the care and support they receive. Much of the work to date has been around laying foundations for further change which means the impact of what has been done is not always clear and relevant.
	Our goal is that progress will accelerate and outcomes become more tangible. This document aims to bridge the gap between our long-term ambition, and shorter-term action. It therefore sets out 25 areas where people can expect to see, and experience, the fastest changes. These are our priorities for action; issues that current programmes are beginning to address and where our strategy is coming to life.
	While we are highlighting these priorities, it is important to underline that they are only part of a much bigger picture—and a much broader ambition for improved mental wellbeing. We are determined that achieving these priorities serves not as a distraction from the greater ambition, but instead as a catalyst for further and faster change.
	It is right to assert that mental health must have equal priority with physical health, that discrimination must end and that everyone who needs mental health care should have the right support at the right time. These are issues which demand our collective response. I am confident by focussing on the priorities identified in this document we can achieve real and lasting benefits both for mental health services and, more importantly for the people who use those services.
	Closing the Gap: Priorities for Essential Change in Mental Health has been placed in the Library. Copies are available to hon Members from the Vote Office and to noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office.

Railways: InterCity East Coast

Baroness Kramer: My Honourable Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport (Stephen Hammond) has made the following Ministerial Statement:
	Today the Department for Transport has announced that the following companies have successfully pre-qualified to bid as part of the InterCity East Coast franchise competition.
	• East Coast Trains Ltd (First Group plc);• Keolis/Eurostar East Coast Limited (Keolis (UK) Limited and Eurostar International Limited); and • Inter City Railways Limited (Stagecoach Transport Holdings Limited and Virgin Holdings Limited).
	In order to pass the Pre-Qualification evaluation each of the bidders had to demonstrate that they have the financial strength, legal, safety and operational experience to run this premier franchise. This is a further key milestone in our franchising programme in line with our published timetable and marks the next step in securing improvements for passengers on InterCity East Coast services.
	The Department plans to issue the Invitation to Tender to these companies by the end of February and they will then have three months to consider and develop their bids that will deliver benefits for passengers and long term value for the tax payer. The Government expects the new franchisee to commence services in February 2015.

Severe Weather

Baroness Stowell of Beeston: My hon Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Brandon Lewis) made the following Written Ministerial Statement on 17 January 2014.
	I would like to pay tribute to the superb work that local authorities, local resilience forums, the voluntary and community sector and the Environment Agency, have done, to protect communities impacted by recent storms and for the work they continue to do to help them return to normality.
	I am pleased to announce today that the Government is making £6.7 million available to help local authorities in England to recover from the impact of the recent severe weather. Department for Communities and Local Government is providing £3.2 million and Department of Transport £3.5 million to the severe weather recovery support package.
	This support, which is funded through reprioritised existing budgets, will offer local councils the opportunity to apply for additional resources to support recovery
	efforts in areas affected by the severe weather. It will help communities recover and repair damage to sections of the local highway network in affected areas.
	I appreciate many local authorities are still undertaking clean-up operations and it will take some time to assess damage, particularly to their transport infrastructure.
	The funding for roads announced today is in addition to the £3.4 billion the Department of Transport is providing to local highway authorities between 2011 to 2015 on highways maintenance which could also be used for road repairs.
	I will set clear expectations for results to be achieved with these funds, and local authorities will have a key role in identifying priorities for assistance and for working closely with communities and businesses to enable this to happen. Departmental officials are working to finalise arrangements for the allocation of this money and will write to local authority chief executives shortly to confirm the availability of the funds and the application process.
	The recovery support package announced today is in addition to financial assistance the Government will make available through the Bellwin scheme to local authorities to assist with the immediate costs associated with these events.
	In terms of support for businesses, I recognise that temporary cash flow may be a particular issue for affected businesses and help is available through measures that apply UK wide:
	• HMRC will consider any request for a Time To Pay extension for customers affected by the recent flooding. Each case is treated on its own merits and affected individuals should contact HMRC at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss their payment options. • Advice on managing cashflow is available on www.gov.uk and the Business Support Helpline continues to offer support to businesses on a wide range of issues.• The Department for Business Innovation and Skills continues to work with the banks to support lending to small businesses including the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme which guarantees loans to viable businesses lacking the collateral or track record for a standard bank loan.• I welcome RBS and NatWest’s decision to launch a £250 million interest free loan fund to support business affected by the severe weather.
	The costs of repairing flood defences damaged by the extreme weather are currently being assessed, and my Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will address this in a few weeks in his report to Parliament on floods funding.
	Funding from the recovery support package can be used to cover costs above and beyond those met by Bellwin, insurance, and existing Central and Local Government obligations. Local authorities in England that experienced damage during the recent severe weather and East coast tidal surge can apply for support from the funding package announced today.
	Support for other parts of the United Kingdom is a matter for the Devolved Administrations.

South Sudan

Baroness Warsi: My Honourable Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Mr Mark Simmonds, has made the following written Ministerial statement:
	I wanted to update the House on the situation in South Sudan and UK efforts to help resolve the conflict.
	The Government remains deeply concerned about the conflict and growing humanitarian crisis, which has led to great loss of life, to more than 350,000 internally displaced people and 50,000 seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. That is why the UK has been active in supporting partners in the region to bring an end to this appalling situation.
	The Foreign Secretary and I have been in regular contact with South Sudanese President Kiir, former Vice President Machar and regional leaders to urge restraint and encourage peaceful resolution of the crisis. Sir Simon Gass, the FCO Political Director, visited Juba early in the crisis and met President Kiir and the British Ambassador to South Sudan has been in regular touch with key figures. The Foreign Secretary has sent a senior envoy to the region to provide diplomatic support on the ground to the preliminary talks.
	In New York the UK Mission to the United Nations has lobbied strongly for the deployment of additional peace-keeping troops to the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). UN Security Council Resolution 2132 (2013), adopted unanimously on 24 December, authorised a strengthening of UNMISS which will allow it to better protect civilians, and enable the provision of humanitarian assistance.
	The Department for International Development (DFID) has provided an additional £12.5m to help civilians affected by the conflict. This included tents, healthcare and other vital supplies.
	We have also ensured that British citizens have been able to leave the conflict zone. On 18 December, the Foreign Secretary authorised the evacuation of British citizens and the withdrawal of non-essential British Embassy staff. Two RAF flights and one commercial flight assisted in evacuating more than 300 people including 95 British Nationals.
	However, the situation is still dire. The Government is particularly concerned about reports of serious human rights abuses in South Sudan. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) made a statement on 10 January demanding an immediate end to all human rights violations and abuses and stressing that those responsible will be held accountable. The Government welcomes the work of UNMISS to monitor human rights violations and abuses. We also welcome the African Union Peace and Security Council’s decision of 30 December to establish a commission of investigation to ensure accountability for abuses and reconciliation among all South Sudanese communities.
	Over the coming weeks, the UK’s immediate aims are to stop the violence and for substantive talks under IGAD leadership to begin. Political resolution
	of the crisis will require involvement in talks of those senior members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement who have been held in detention since the start of the violence, and we have urged the government to release them in accordance with due legal process. It is essential that all of South Sudan’s leaders now set aside their differences and show commitment to healing the political and inter-communal divisions that are threatening the unity and development of the world’s newest state.
	Working with our partners in the region and in the broader international community, the UK will continue to use all means at our disposal to bring about a peaceful resolution to the current conflict.

Suicide

Earl Howe: My hon friend the Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lamb) made the following written ministerial statement on 17 January.
	Today I am publishing the first annual report on the suicide prevention strategy for England.
	Preventing Suicide in England: One year on, has been placed in the Library. Copies are available to hon. Members from the Vote Office and to noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office.
	In September 2012, we made clear our commitment to suicide prevention by publishing a new cross-government strategy for England. Over the last decade, good progress has been made in reducing the suicide rate in England. But we knew that the likely impact of the financial crisis meant that we needed to be prepared for possible upturns in suicide rates. The strategy set out very clearly what actions we can all take to reduce the toll of suicide in our society.
	Sadly, since 2007 we have seen signs that the suicide rate has risen in England, as it has in many countries. There were 4,524 suicides in 2012.
	The annual report summarises developments at national level, identifies key research studies and their findings, and is accompanied by a report of statistical information on suicides.
	The suicide prevention strategy placed a new emphasis on families bereaved or affected by suicide.
	Family and friends of people who are having suicidal thoughts are often the first to notice when something is not right. We have heard from families bereaved by suicide that sometimes doctors can seem reluctant to take information from families or are hesitant to let families know their loved one might be at risk of suicide.
	We have worked with the Royal Colleges and professional organisations to agree a joint statement designed to ensure information is shared appropriately, within the legal framework, to help prevent suicide.
	Today’s report also highlights the importance of responsive and high quality care for people who self-harm. We know that the risk of suicide is considerably higher amongst those with a history of self-harm. We also know that, too often, people who self-harm experience
	negative attitudes and lack of knowledge from staff in general hospitals. We are determined to tackle the negative attitudes surrounding self-harm.
	The first annual report on the strategy has been prepared with the input of leading experts in the field of suicide prevention, including the members of the national suicide prevention strategy advisory group, under the chairmanship of Professor Louis Appleby CBE. I would like to thank all members of this group for sharing their knowledge and expertise. Their continued support and leadership is central to our efforts to prevent suicide in England.

Transforming Rehabilitation

Lord Faulks: My right honourable friend the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Chris Grayling) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	“All Probation Trusts have now received formal Notification of the Termination of the Probation Trust Service Contract as part of the Transforming Rehabilitation Programme.
	Trusts are now completing the allocation of staff to their new roles, and every Trust is on track to do so by 1 April. We will then test key aspects of the new model so that those who will be in both the Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) and in the National Probation Service (NPS) can trial the new ways of working before we formally complete the transfer to the new governance arrangements. Over a two month period from April we will prepare for the full transition to new IT and support systems in areas like HR.
	We will also start new interim account management arrangements from 1 April, to allow the account management team to start to work closely with emerging CRC and NPS teams right away and prepare for contract mobilisation from the end of May. Full commercial contract management will follow at the conclusion of the competition process.
	A copy of the letter terminating the Probation Trust Service Contracts has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.”

Youth Custody

Lord Faulks: The Government is today publishing its response to the Transforming Youth Custody consultation,
	setting out its plans to put education at the heart of detention and launch the first purpose-built Secure College.
	Although both overall crime and proven offending by young people are down, 71% of young offenders sentenced to custody go on to reoffend within 12 months. Furthermore, youth custody is too expensive, with the average cost of a place standing at around £100,000 per annum, and education provision across the estate is inconsistent. The Transforming Youth Custody consultation set out the Government’s ambition to tackle these problems. Responses demonstrated support for the principle of youth custody achieving a sharper focus on equipping young offenders with the skills, qualifications and self-discipline they need to turn away from crime and fulfil their potential.
	I am today announcing plans to introduce Secure Colleges, a new generation of secure educational establishments for young offenders, and to open a pathfinder Secure College in the East Midlands in 2017. If the pathfinder proves successful, my vision is for a network of Secure Colleges across England and Wales. Secure Colleges will have strong educational leadership delivering a daily regime designed around education, vocational training and life skills, as well as tackling the wider causes of offending. They will replace existing expensive and inconsistent provision, raise educational attainment, reduce cost and act as a catalyst to reduce reoffending. I will shortly bring forward legislation on Secure Colleges.
	While I introduce this new model of youth custody, I am taking important steps to improve provision for those young people currently in custody. At present 15-17 year olds in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) receive an average of only 12 hours contracted education a week. I am today launching a competition for new education contracts in publicly-run YOIs which will seek to more than double the number of hours young offenders spend in education. In addition, the Government is taking steps to ensure that when a young offender leaves custody more effective plans are in place to support their resettlement in the community, with more going into education, training or employment and fewer going on to reoffend.
	By putting education at the heart of youth custody, the Government will set young offenders on the path to becoming law-abiding, hardworking citizens, and make communities safer.
	Copies of Transforming Youth Custody: The Government’s Response to the Consultation will be available in the Vote Office and the Printed Paper Office.